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Empire State Building Tours

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The world's tallest building from 1931 to 1977, the Empire State Building is topped with a stepped Art Deco pinnacle that's floodlit at night and boasts holiday and commemorative colors throughout the year. After admiring the mosaics in the Art Deco lobby, take an elevator ride to the 86th or 102nd floor and get ready to drink in astounding 360-degree views from this iconic skyscraper observatory.

The Basics

Set in Midtown Manhattan, the 102-story skyscraper is a must for any first-time visitor to New York City. While it’s easy to catch a glimpse of the tower around the city, this attraction is best enjoyed from one of its two observation decks, where the panoramic views over the Big Apple are legendary. Tickets to one or both of the observation decks can be purchased solo, although the Empire State Building is also visited on many city sightseeing tours, which often also include stops at Times Square and the Statue of Liberty. If you plan to visit on your own during peak times, it’s a good idea to buy an Express Pass to skip the line all the way to the 86th floor.

Things to Know Before You Go

Choose a general admission ticket for standard entrance or a VIP Express Pass to skip the lines.

The Empire State Building is fully ADA compliant and stroller accessible. Handicapped restrooms are located on the 86th floor.

Glass bottles, cans, and tripods are prohibited.

Lines for the elevator can get long, particularly during peak hours. Be sure to use the restrooms on the second floor before getting in line.

STATE Grill and Bar is the building’s street-level, signature restaurant. You’ll also find five other dining options, plus Starbucks.

How to Get to the Empire State Building

The entrance to the Empire State Building is located on 20 West 34th Street. It’s easy to arrive on foot from many other popular Midtown attractions, or by taking the subway to Penn Station/34th Street or 34th Street/Herald Square. The building is also a stop on hop-on, hop-off sightseeing bus tours.

When to Get There

Since the Empire State Building is one of New York’s most popular attractions, it’s best visited in the morning just after opening or late at night (the decks are open until 2am) when the lines are shortest. Expect longer lines for tickets, security, and the elevators on weekends, holidays, and just before sunset.

Which Floor Should I Visit?

The 86th-floor observatory, known as the Main Deck, is the highest open-air observatory in New York. Its wraparound deck is outfitted with high-power binoculars, making it possible to see Central Park, the Hudson River, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Statue of Liberty from above. From the indoor Top Deck on the 102nd floor, visitors enjoy even more views (like Central Park in its entirety) and the chance to ride a manually operated Otis elevator. On the second floor, galleries house multiple hands-on exhibits.

Marvel at the 360-degree, unobstructed views from the Empire State Building and explore its Interactive Museum and more with this combo ticket. See NYC's landmarks from the 86th-floor observatory, enjoy the exhibitions and augmented reality viewfinders on the 80th floor; and explore the 2nd-floor museum’s immersive displays on the building's history. Upgrade for skip-the-line access, and once on site, choose to upgrade to add a visit to the 102nd-floor observatory.

As day turns to night, it's easy to see how New York City earned its City That Never Sleeps moniker. See the Big Apple in the light and dark with a day and night admission ticket to the 86th-floor observation deck at the Empire State Building—the highest observatory in New York City. Beat the lines by arriving with your daytime ticket, valid between 8am and 8:59pm, for 360-degree views of the iconic Manhattan Skyline and the Statue of Liberty. Then, return between 9pm and 2am for spectacular views of New York by night.

Experience three classic Big Apple attractions—the Empire State Building’s 86th-floor observatory, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, and a sightseeing cruise around New York Harbor—with this great-value combo package. Get unlimited access to the sightseeing cruise for the day, hopping on or off at your choice of two Manhattan locations, and visit the Empire State Building and 9/11 Memorial & Museum at times of your choosing.

Look out of the 86th floor of the Empire State Building Observatory Deck in New York with a versatile date ticket from the highest 360-degree open-air lookout point in New York City for stunning panoramic views across 6 countries. Skip all lines by choosing the Alternative Express Ticket.
Take a look at the Grand Staircase with its two-story architectural model and newly renovated galleries which take you on an incredible journey from construction to the current pop culture place. Exploring the website during the 1920s and displays in the world's famous buildings, Building, Opening Day, Modern Marvels, Otis Elevators, King Kong, and Celebration.
Take advantage of a flexible reimbursement scheme.Upgrade your ticket option, skip the entire lines and experience Red Carpet Treatment in a month's time.Admire the empire state building's architecture,including the newly designed Art Deco lobby and the Observatory entrance with a wide escalator.

Wake up with the City that Never Sleeps on a trip to the Observation Deck of the Empire State Building at sunrise, before the building is open to the public. Jumpstart your day with 360-degree panoramic views of the sunrise illuminating New York City below on an experience limited to 100 people.

This exclusive offer, available only through Viator, includes an express, skip-the-line pass for the Empire State Building’s 86th-floor Observatory Deck. Experience unmatched 360-degree open-air views from the heart of New York City. After your visit, cap off your night with a 3-course prix fixe dinner, including a complimentary glass of wine or beer, at STATE Grill and Bar (ranked 4.5 stars by TripAdvisor users), located in the Empire State Building’s iconic lobby.

Avoid the long lines at the Empire State Building with a small-group tour that gets you priority, skip-the-line access to the iconic skyscraper. You’ll join an ‘Observatory Ambassador’, hear behind-the-scenes stories, and get spectacular views across the New York City skyline, all without spending a New York minute waiting in line.

Recent Reviews from Experiences in New York City

star-5

A Must See

RICK_E

, Apr 2020

Skip the line was the best way to go. Not crowded on a Monday.
The building and history is so beautiful and interesting.
82 floors is high enough, the views spectacular. Every NYC visitor should take time to visit the Empire State building.

Marvel at the 360-degree, unobstructed views from the Empire State Building and explore its Interactive Museum and more with this combo ticket. See NYC's landmarks from the 86th-floor observatory, enjoy the exhibitions and augmented reality viewfinders on the 80th floor; and explore the 2nd-floor museum’s immersive displays on the building's history. Upgrade for skip-the-line access, and once on site, choose to upgrade to add a visit to the 102nd-floor observatory.

As day turns to night, it's easy to see how New York City earned its City That Never Sleeps moniker. See the Big Apple in the light and dark with a day and night admission ticket to the 86th-floor observation deck at the Empire State Building—the highest observatory in New York City. Beat the lines by arriving with your daytime ticket, valid between 8am and 8:59pm, for 360-degree views of the iconic Manhattan Skyline and the Statue of Liberty. Then, return between 9pm and 2am for spectacular views of New York by night.

Experience three classic Big Apple attractions—the Empire State Building’s 86th-floor observatory, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, and a sightseeing cruise around New York Harbor—with this great-value combo package. Get unlimited access to the sightseeing cruise for the day, hopping on or off at your choice of two Manhattan locations, and visit the Empire State Building and 9/11 Memorial & Museum at times of your choosing.

Look out of the 86th floor of the Empire State Building Observatory Deck in New York with a versatile date ticket from the highest 360-degree open-air lookout point in New York City for stunning panoramic views across 6 countries. Skip all lines by choosing the Alternative Express Ticket.
Take a look at the Grand Staircase with its two-story architectural model and newly renovated galleries which take you on an incredible journey from construction to the current pop culture place. Exploring the website during the 1920s and displays in the world's famous buildings, Building, Opening Day, Modern Marvels, Otis Elevators, King Kong, and Celebration.
Take advantage of a flexible reimbursement scheme.Upgrade your ticket option, skip the entire lines and experience Red Carpet Treatment in a month's time.Admire the empire state building's architecture,including the newly designed Art Deco lobby and the Observatory entrance with a wide escalator.

Wake up with the City that Never Sleeps on a trip to the Observation Deck of the Empire State Building at sunrise, before the building is open to the public. Jumpstart your day with 360-degree panoramic views of the sunrise illuminating New York City below on an experience limited to 100 people.

This exclusive offer, available only through Viator, includes an express, skip-the-line pass for the Empire State Building’s 86th-floor Observatory Deck. Experience unmatched 360-degree open-air views from the heart of New York City. After your visit, cap off your night with a 3-course prix fixe dinner, including a complimentary glass of wine or beer, at STATE Grill and Bar (ranked 4.5 stars by TripAdvisor users), located in the Empire State Building’s iconic lobby.

Avoid the long lines at the Empire State Building with a small-group tour that gets you priority, skip-the-line access to the iconic skyscraper. You’ll join an ‘Observatory Ambassador’, hear behind-the-scenes stories, and get spectacular views across the New York City skyline, all without spending a New York minute waiting in line.

Simplify your trip to the Big Apple, save time and money, and gain access to more than 100 New York attractions, experiences, and tours with this New York Pass. Choose from 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, and 10-day pass options, granting you access to top NYC attractions including the Empire State Building, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Museum of Natural History, cruises, and more. Passes are valid for one year from the purchase date and are activated after your first visit. After activation, your pass is valid for 30 days and/or the remaining number of attraction choices purchased.

Get the New York CityPASS and enjoy great discounts and skip-the-line access at some of the Big Apple’s top attractions. Your CityPASS includes tickets valid for nine days from date of first use for NYC favorites like the Empire State Building, American Museum of Natural History, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Statue of Liberty, Guggenheim Museum, 9/11 Memorial and Museum and much more. Best of all, you get to bypass the long lines, giving you more time to spend exploring this city that never sleeps.

Explore your favorite NYC attractions for one low price with this New York City Explorer Pass. Choose how many attractions you want to visit—up to 10—and enjoy visits to landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and Top of the Rock Observatory, and activities such as a Madison Square Garden tour or Brooklyn bike tour. Sightsee the city with ease during a hop-on hop-off bus tour, or choose a sightseeing cruise. All passes are valid for one year from the purchase date and are activated after your first visit. Your pas is then valid for 30 days and/or the remaining number of attraction choices purchased.

Make the most of your time in the city that never sleeps on a guided tour of NYC’s top attractions. Travel by both boat (seasonal) and bus as you swing by the 9/11 Memorial, Central Park, Rockefeller Center and more. Then hop aboard a luxury boat for a sightseeing cruise past the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, complete with stunning views of the world-famous skyline and Brooklyn Bridge.

A hop-on hop-off New York bus tour allows you to see the city at your own pace and provides easy transportation to top sights. Entertaining tour guides keep you informed when you’re on board, and you can hop off and on the distinctive double-decker tour buses when you wish to check out attractions like the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center. There are several options and combos to choose from with access to the Uptown Loop, Downtown Loop, Brooklyn Loop and Night Tour, or upgrade to add attractions to your tour!

See the highlights of New York City without the hassle of navigating traffic or public transportation by booking a Big Bus tour. The hop-on hop-off tour enables busy travelers to relax and enjoy the sights from the double-decker bus. Along the way, you can choose the attractions that interest you most rather than being caught up on a group tour. Plus, an onboard guide points out sights you might otherwise miss.

Get a bird's-eye view of New York City on a brief helicopter tour that soars over the Statue of Liberty, the Chrysler Building, One World Trade Center, and Central Park. While helicopter tours can become expensive quickly, this flight is just long enough to see all the top sights without spending extra time in the air, making it ideal for budget-minded visitors who want to get a comprehensive view of the city.

Catch a bird's eye view of the Big Apple during this helicopter ride over Manhattan. Look out over the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, the financial district and more. You’ll also spot top sights like Ellis Island and the Empire State Building during this unique sightseeing flight over one of the world's most iconic cities.

Experience New York, the ‘city that never sleeps,’ magically lit up after dark during this guided evening tour of the city by bus. Begin with a short nighttime stroll along the city’s famous High Line Park, then hop on a bus for a ride past illuminated landmarks like Times Square, Rockefeller Center, and the neighborhoods of SoHo and Chinatown, and take a short walk through Grand Central Terminal.

New York City is home to some of the most iconic landmarks in the world, but taking in the highlights can be daunting. With this hop-on-hop-off tour, admire the most famous sights in the city without getting footsore or having to navigate public transportation. Relax on an open-top sightseeing bus to admire Times Square, Central Park, and the Statue of Liberty and enjoy a bird’s-eye view from the Empire State Building.

Get a totally different and exciting perspective on New York: from a fun dinner cruise that floats around New York Harbor and Manhattan offering stunning views of the city and some of the world's most famous landmarks, from the Statue of Liberty to the Brooklyn Bridge to the Empire State Building. Indulge in a delicious buffet dinner and then groove to the onboard DJ'ed music being spun. Add this dinner cruise to your New York itinerary today!

Forget trying to snag a hard-to-get reservation at New York's hottest restaurants du jour. Instead, indulge in a delicious 3-course dinner during the cruise on an all-glass boat around New York City that offers you an up-close look at the Statue of Liberty and other famed sites. As a live pianist plays relaxing music for you, take in the immense view of one of the world's great cities and enjoy a delicious pre-set dinner by the on-board executive chef. Upgrade to enjoy a romantic or first class VIP experience including a private table and French sparkling wine.

Skip the rigid itineraries of typical sightseeing tours and explore New York City at your own pace. This hop-on hop-off bus tour lets you disembark only at sites of interest, and spend as long as you wish there. You ticket also includes entrance to the Empire State Building.

Maximize your sightseeing time in high-energy New York City on this tour offering skip-the-line access to the city’s most iconic landmarks. This guided excursion helps you avoid long lines at popular sights including the Statue of Liberty, meaning you have more time for an included bus tour as well as visits to Big Apple attractions like the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and lunch in Little Italy (at your own expense).

New York's iconic landmarks, mighty rivers, and islands are even more impressive from the air. On this tour, soar over Manhattan’s most famous sights in a helicopter and enjoy spectacular aerial views of the Big Apple. There's plenty of time time to see Liberty Island, the Empire State Building, and Governor’s Island.

Swap New York City’s streets for the water on this sightseeing cruise. Enjoy unobstructed panoramas of Manhattan’s skyline, including One World Trade Center; and get up-close to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island as a guide shares stories about the sights. By prebooking, you’ll avoid the risk of missing out and the hassle of last-minute ticket-buying. If you wish, upgrade to add visits to various attractions.

See New York City shine in all its glory on this illuminating night tour. From aboard an open-top double-decker bus, see the lights and evening activity of Times Square, Greenwich Village, SoHo, the Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, and more. Savor incredible panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline at night.

With a 3-day Big Bus ticket to New York City, you can follow hop-on hop-off routes—downtown, uptown, Harlem, and Brooklyn—plus take a panoramic night tour. In addition, gain entry to the 86th-floor observation deck at the Empire State Building and enjoy convenient transport service to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty National Monument via round-trip ferry. Rather than booking separately, save time and money with one ticket.

Avoid the mobs of people sightseeing on land, and opt for this Manhattan architecture yacht cruise instead. From the teak deck of the boat, learn about New York City's architectural landmarks as you circumnavigate the island and listen to the 'Around Manhattan' narration provided by members of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). One beer or glass of wine is provided, as well as snacks and soda.

If you're only in New York for a short time, tick off multiple Big Apple highlights in a matter of hours on a small-group walking tour. Venture to Wall Street, visit the 9/11 Memorial, and ascend the world-famous Empire State Building. Continue to Chinatown and Little Italy, hop the subway to Greenwich Village (own expense), journey up to Grand Central Terminal, see the Chrysler Building, and Times Square.

New York is a city that has so much to offer, it can be difficult finding the time to fit everything in. This full-day sightseeing tour combines a bus tour with a ride on the Staten Island Ferry, so you can see more of New York City in less time with a guide who knows the quickest ways around and the best places to catch sight of top attractions.

Experience New York City in a whole different light on this entertaining happy hour cruise along New York Harbor. See the best of the Big Apple’s iconic landmarks — like One World Trade Center’s Freedom Tower, the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty — while soaking up the energetic atmosphere on board. Choose from a variety of cruise options to include beer and wine or an unlimited open bar. Relax, mix, mingle, make new friends and have a good time on this popular 2-hour cruise.

See New York City’s breathtaking skyline and the many iconic sights of the city on this helicopter flight. Soar over the Big Apple with an exclusive sightseeing tour of the Manhattan skyline and beyond, including the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, One World Trade Center and Central Park, to name just a few, plus Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty and much more. Then continue up the Hudson River to see even more of Manhattan. A variety of departure times are available throughout the day to fit into almost any schedule.

See New York City from the sky during a scenic helicopter flight that lasts up to 15 minutes. Enjoy incredible photo ops of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Staten Island, and listen to live commentary from your pilot as you fly past landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, One World Trade Center, and the Brooklyn Bridge. Select the optional upgrade to include transfers by private SUV from a central location in Midtown Manhattan.

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

Q:

What are Empire State Building hours of operation?

A:

Empire State Building hours of operation: Daily 8am–2pm. Buy tickets in advance on Viator. If you book with Viator, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.